Only one reel of the latest anime from Studio Ghibli is in Australia and making the rounds. Next destination, and running for the next ten days, Tales from Earthsea at the Dendy Newtown.

Glamorous and lush visuals from the very start, a hint of shouting across the crashing waves and subtitles are good. Not so good to do this much reading in the morning however. Drowsy takes hold and a nice slumber slots in early after the start. Enough to gather the flow of the story, not too late to miss out entirely on the world.

With a world in despair it's the ancient and true which leaves for hope and the dying truth of life and the end with death. A tale of acceptance and fighting for the best parts of life and leaving the rule of giving and receiving to the heart. Heads will only complicate matters when the desire out rules and out gasps the sheer audacity of what befalls those who chase the light.

Magic and sorcery, the stuff of mystics, plays heavy in the background with a clean swipe as the human emotions stand at the fore. Truly a beautiful film to soak in and marvel at the expanse and closeness.

Playing at Dendy Newtown from May 17 until 27 for an extremely limited season.

 

Although, I would be rather happy if it were Totoro, at least Totoro never stole my catalogues... moving on...

My Neighbour Totoro is another beautiful all ages film by Studio Ghibli (pronounced Jibbly).

Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside with their father after their mother does herself a mischief.

Soon after moving in the two girls, voiced by Dakota and Elle Fanning respectively, realise that they share their house with some rather unusual critters and an even more unusual neighbour named Totoro.



My Neighbour Totoro was originally released in Japan in 1988 and in the US in 1994 by Troma films (the ingenius people that brought us Tromeo and Juliet and Toxie) before being licensed and redubbed by Disney in March 2006 and acquired by Madman entertainment soon after.

Although animated in 1988, the quality of animation and film stock itself are excellent and as with all Ghibli films, the music is incredible.

The local release is a bit shy on special features, with alternative angle storyboards, original trailers and textless opening and closing credits but as mentioned above, the film itself is in pristine condition. And wrapped in a high quality reversible slick.

I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a must-watch for any old anime fan, but I will say that it is a must-have for all Ghibli fans.

A wonderful film filled with fantasy, wonder and hope that will be a delight for adults and children alike. Written and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki.